Packaging machine



1967 R. K. GALLOWAY 3,

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT K. GALLOWAY Feb. 28, 1967 R. K. GALLOWAY 3,

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5; 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. QOBERT K. .GALLOWAY BY I 1967 R. K. GALLOWAY PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 INVENTORQ ROBERT K. GA LLQWAY BY w Feb. 28, 1967 R. K. GALLOWAY PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 INVENTOR. ROBERT K. GALLOWAY B uw/K W I A ORA/fin R. K. GALLOWAY Feb. 28, 1967 PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 INVENTOR. ROBERT K. GALLOWAY 5 I? u; AT ORA/E56 Feb. 28, 1967 R. K. GALLOWAY PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 INVENTOR R0 BERT K. GALLOWAY y. mow a4 NEYS R. K. GALLOWAY PACKAGING MACHINE Feb. 28, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 INVENTOR. ROBERT K. GALLOWAY Feb. 28, 1967 R. K. GALLOWAY 3,306,004

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1964 1 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR QOBERT K- GALLOWAY United States Patent New Jersey Filed Nov. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 409,086 9 Claims. (Cl. 53-284) This invention relates to packaging machines, and particularly to a machine for erecting cartons, inserting articles therein, and then closing .the cartons.

The packaging machine of the present invention uses a noval system of oppositely reciprocating rail assemblies to produce a number of unique results. By the use of such rail assemblies a machine has been provided which has a conveyer that can be moved continuously and yet has the capability of moving cartons carried thereon either intermittently or substantially continuously as desired. A further advantage of this novel system is that a carton fed to the conveying section either by an erecting device or other carton supplying means can be firmly grasped even though no moving parts are provided in addition to the rail assemblies. By the provision on the rail assemblies oi. carton moving means or elements at the proper positions, the cartons can be moved swiftly and efiiciently through the various transporting and closing mechanisms and yet pause at the product filling station for the insertion therein of a product without the provision of any complex mechanism for starting and stopping the machine. A further advantage is that a simple mechanism for positively closing the carton flaps can 'be provided by utilizing simple lever mechanisms which are operated by the motion of the rail assemblies. The system of the present invention enables the filling and closing of up to 120 cartons per minute using a machine which occupies a very small floor space and is extremely eflicient in terms of power consumed in achieving these results. A further advantage is that a machine has been provided which can with minor modifications close carrtons having various closing or sealing means such as locking tabs, glue, hot melt, or heat sealable coatings.

Other objects and advantages will be more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the acompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the machine of the present invention with portions of the carton supplying device broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the driving mechanism of the machine with various elements broken away in order that the interior of the machine may be viewed;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the machine showing the carton erecting and feeding mechanism, the product inserting mechanism, and a portion of the carton carrying rails;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the same portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 3 in which the mechanisms have been advanced to a different position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of the same portion of the machine shown in FIGURE 3 with the omission of the carton supplying magazine, with the mechanisms advanced to a still further position;

FIGURES 6-8 are fragmentary views of the product inserting portion of the machine showing the sequence of steps involved in inserting the product in the canon;

FIGURE 9 is a tragmentary view of the machine showing a carton being transported away from the product inserting mechanism;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIGURES 11-12 and 14-17 are fragmentary views of portions of the carton closing portion of the machine showing various stages of the operation thereof;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 in FIG. 12;

FIGURE 18 is a. sectional view taken on the line 1818 in FIG. 14;

FIGURE 19 is a sectional view taken on the line 1919 in FIG. 17; and

FIGURE 20 is a sectional view taken on the line 20-20 in FIG. 17.

Refer-ring first to FIGURE 1 it is seen that the essential moving parts of the machine are the two sets of parallel reciproeable rails 1, 2 and 3, 4 which are adapted to be reciprocated in opposite directions, i.e., in an out of phase relationship and which are provided with carton moving elements which carry cartons the length of the rails while filling and closing operations are being performed. A product inserting mechanism 5 is provided adjacent one side of the rails and is so positioned that the product will he placed within each carton as it pauses in front of the mechanism. An attachment for feeding and squaring up carton shells, indicated generally by numeral 6, is provided to set the cartons upon the rails to he filled and closed. The attachment 6 is shown in its complete form in FIGURES 3 and 4, portions of the at tachment being removed in FIGURE 1 in order that the remainder of the machine may be fully seen therein. The term forwardly as used herein is intended to mean in the direction in which the cartons move as they travel through the machine.

Attached to rails 1 and 2 are carton pusher elements 1'1 and 12, respectively. Also attached to rails 1 and 2 are pivoted dogs 13, 14, 15 and 16. The rearward end 17 of rail 4 is tapered so that the same will close a forward flap of a carton as will he explained hereinafter. Rail 3 is provided with notches :18, 18a (not shown) 19, and 19a which are adapted to engage a carton to be pushed through the mechanism. The forward ends of rails 3 and 4 include pivoted sections 20' and 21, which are inwardly urged by springs (see FIG. 13), and which may be pivoted outwardly against the pressure of the springs to permit cartons to pass therebetween. Rails 1 and 2 are provided with curved cam surfaces 22 and 23 adapted to close the carton end flaps. At the ends of rails 1 and 2 are provided fingers 24 and 25, which are adapted to lock the tabs on the carton end flaps, and which are pivotably connected to the rail ends and to bars 26 and 27. Bars 26 and 27 are so positioned that they will collide with stop screws 28 and 29 when rail assembly 1, 2 moves forward, thereby causing fingers 2-4 and 25 to pivot inwardly against the carton end flaps. Bars 26 and 27 are urged forwardly =by springs 30* (FIG. 17). Center plate 31 covers the space beneath the center of the rails, but does not support the cartons. Spring 32 which fastened to plate 31 prevents each carton from back-sliding as rail assembly 3, 4 begins its rearward stroke after depositing the carton in front of product inserter 5. Cam surface 33 is positioned adjacent the rails to lift the upper end flap of the carton so that the product may be easily inserted therein. A pivoted, driven flap folding element 34 (FIGS. 6-8) is provided to close the trailing dust flap after insertion of the product in the carton shell. A further element 35 carried on the same pivot is provided to hold this dust flap in a closed position until an end closure flap is closed thereover. Cam elements 36 and 37 are provided on rail 4 to partially bend down locking tabs 56 as they pass therebetween.

The machines of the present invention can be adapted to erect and fill tubular carton shells of practically any size and shape, which may have end flaps of practically any desired configuration. The size and shape of the various working elements of the machine would have to be modified to accommodate the particular carton and product involved. In order that the invention may be clearly understood the particular carton shown in the drawings has been selected as an example. Each carton shell 49 has top, leading, bottom, and trailing panels hingedly interconnected along their marginal edges and numbered 50, 51, 52, and 53 respectively. Other closure flaps 54 and 55 are articulated to opposite ends of the top panel 50. The ends of flaps 54 and 55 are provided with locking tabs 56 and 57 (FIG. 3), respectively, of the arrowhead type construction. Leading dust flaps 58 (FIG. and 59 (FIG. 6) are articulated to opposite ends of leading panel 51, inner closure flaps 60 and 61 are articulated to the opposite ends of the bottom panel 52, and trailing dust flaps 62 and 63 are articulated to the opposite ends of trailing panel 53. Slots 64 (FIG. 19) and 65 are provided adjacent the juncture of the inner closure panels 60 and 61 with the bottom panel 52 and are adapted to receive the locking tabs 56 and 57.

The complete carton erecting and feeding mechanism is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. A stack 70 of flat tubular carton shells 49 is held within dispensing magazine 71. Elements 72 on the magazine gate marginally overlie the foremost blank and prevent the stack from falling out. The amount of overlap of the elements with respect to the blank is small, so that slight flexing of the blank will free it.

Suction cup 73 connected to vacuum hose 74 serves to withdraw the carton shells from the stack one at .a time. The upper portion of the carton being conveyed is held against backup plate 75. This plate and plate 76 which is pivotable relative thereto together serve to fold open the shells into hollow tubular form.

The mechanism 5 (best seen in FIGS. 5-8) for inserting a product 79 in each carton can consist of an extendable-retractable product supporting tray 80 and a product inserting plunger 81. A conveyer such as a lugged chain device or the equivalent may be used to supply the product to the product inserting means. Hinged arm 82 may be provided to prevent the product from sliding backward when plunger 81 is withdrawn.

Driving mechanism It will 'be understood that the various working elements of the machine can be driven by any suitable driving mechanism or combination of mechanisms. For example, a small individual motor could be provided for driving each pair of carton moving rails, the carton shell squaring apparatus and the product feeding mechanism. However, it is preferred to use the mechanism shown in FIGURE 2 wherein all of these mechanisms are driven by a single motor.

As seen in FIGURE 2 the preferred embodiment of the machine of the present invention comprises a supporting frame 90 and frame bars 91 and 92 which serve to support the various portions of the machine. A motor 101 is attached to frame 90. Motor 101 drives belt 102 by means of pulley '3. Belt 102 in turn drives pulley 104, which is attached to a Worm gear speed reducer 105. Worm gear speed reducer 105 drives chain 106 by means of a gear107, and chain 106 in turn rotates sprocket 108 which drives a right angle drive mechanism 109. The power to drive both pairs of carton conveying rails is derived from a crank wheel 110 which is driven by the right angle drive 109. The motion used to drive rails 3 and 4 is derived through crank arm 111 which is attached by connecting pin 112 to crank wheel 110, and crank arm 111 is thereby caused to oscillate with each revolution of crank wheel 110. The lower end of crank arm 111 is pivotally connected by a pin 113 to bell crank 114 which is fixed to oscillate on pivot pin 115. The offset upper end 116 of bell crank 114 is attached to connecting link 117 by means of pin 118. Connecting link 117 is in turn attached by means of stud 119 to slide carriage 120. Slide carriage 120 is slidably mounted on linear shafts 121 and 122. The opposite ends of the linear shafts or guide rods are supported by mounting blocks 123 and 124, which are supported by frame and frame bars 91 and 92. A rail supporting bar 125, carried by slide carriage supports the reciprocable carton carrying rails 3 and 4. The opposite ends of rails 3 and 4 are connected to rail supporting bar 126, which is in turn mounted on slide carriage 127. Slide carriage 127 is slidably mounted on linear shafts 121 and 122 in similar fashion to carriage 120.

The carton carrying rails 1 and. 2 are also driven by the oscillations of crank arm 111. Crank arm 111 is connected to connecting rod by means of connecting pin 141. The opposite end of rod 140 is connected to slide carriage 142 by means of stud 143. Slide carriage 142 isslidably mounted on linear shafts 121 and 122, and carries rail supporting bar 144. The carton carrying rails 1 and 2 are fastened at one end to rail supporting bar 144 and at their opposite end to rail supporting bar 145. The rail supporting bar 145 is fastened to slide carriage 146 which is also slidably mounted on linear shafts 121 and 122.

To one end of rail supporting bar 144 is attached connecting rod 150 by means of a pin 151. The opposite end of connecting rod 150 is attached by means of pin 152 to a bell crank 153 which is pivoted on pivot pin 154. The opposite end of the bell crank 153 is connected by means of a pin 155 to a connecting link 156 which is in turn connected at its opposite end by means of pin 157 to the loader tray slide carriage 158. The loader tray slide carriage 15 8 is slidably mounted on linear shaft 159. The latter linear shafts are supported at one end by plate 161 which is mounted on frame 90 and are fastened at their opposite ends to spacing plate 162 which holds the entire assembly of shafts in the desired parallel relationship.

The product loader ram is also driven by the right angle drive 109 which is used to rotate crank wheel 170. On one side of crank wheel is rotatably mounted slotted head stud 171, which is adapted to co-act with guide bar 172 mounted on one side of rocker arm 173. Rocker arm 173 is mounted on pivot shaft 174 and the opposite end thereof is pivotably connected to slide carriage 175. Slide carriage 175 is slidably mounted on guide rods 176 and 177 which are mounted in frame 90. Fastened to the upper side of slide carriage 175 is connecting plate 178, which is connected by means of pin 179 to connecting link 180. The opposite end of connecting link 180 is fastened by means of pin 181 to the product loader ram slide carriage 182. Carriage 182 is slidably mounted on linear shaft 160.

Flap folding element 34 and flap retaining element 35 are also driven by the reciprocations of slide carriage 158. Referring to FIGURES 6-8, it is seen that slide carriage 158 is attached to supporting tray 80 which is in turn attached to slide carriage 1'83. Slide carriage 183, by means of connecting link 184, is connected to lever arm 185 which is an integral part of hub 186 which is ournaled on shaft 187. Elements 34 and 35 are also mounted on hub 186 and move in accordance with the oscillations thereof.

The carton erecting attachment is driven by the rotation of gear 108 to which is attached connecting arm 190 by means of a crank pin (not shown). Connecting rod 190 is attached by means of pin 191 to connecting rod 192 and rocker plate 193. Rocker plate 193 is pivotably mounted on pivot shaft 194. A hollow shaft 195 is solidly fixed to the end of rocker plate 193. A sleeve 196, to which suction cup 73 and plate 75 are solidly attached, is rotatably mounted over hollow shaft 195. Lever arm 197 is an integral part of the opposite end of sleeve 196 and is slidably positioned in the slotted head of rotatable slotted head stud 198. Stud 198 is rotatably mounted on one arm of hell crank 199, which is pivoted on pivot point 200, and which is connected at its other end to connecting link 192 Vacuum hose 74 is carried within hollow shaft 195 to a source of vacuum (not shown).

I Operation It will be apparent that with each revolution of wheel 110 the rail assemblies 1,2 and 3,4 will be caused to move first away from one another and then toward each other. The rail assemblies continually reciprocate oppositely of each other in this manner while the machine is in operation. It will also be apparent that with each revolution of crank wheel 108 the carton erecting and feeding mechanism 6 will be caused to move from the position shown in FIGURE 3, through those shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, and back to that shown in FIGURE 3. The vacuum supply through hose 74 must be so timed that suction will be applied through suction cup 73 when the mechanism reaches the position shown in FIGURE 3. This will cause the foremost carton shell 49 in stack of cartons 70 to be removed from magazine 71 and held by the suction applied through suction cup 73 againstibackup plate 75. The carton supplying assembly is carried downward as rocker plate 193 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 3) about pivot point 191. This same motion causes sleeve 196to be turned in a counterclockwise direction (as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4) because the motion of lever arm 197 is limited by the slotted head stud 198. This causes the carton shell to be pivoted around the position shown in FIGURE 4 and to be squared up when the trailing panel 53 abuts against plate 76. Plate 76, which is solidly afiixed to inner hollow shaft 195, cannot move relative to rocker plate 193, and therefore plate 75 pivots relative thereto until the two are at somewhat less than right angles to one another. Due to the fold resistance of the paperboard at the fold lines, the carton shell must be temporarily over squared, i.e., folded beyond the position in which the carton walls form right angles, in order that the carton walls be accurately squared when released by the erecting device, and thus plates 75 and 76 are so positioned that they will move slightly beyond a perpendicular relationship toward each other as they are pivoted downwardly by the motion of rocker plate 193. As the carton shell 49 is set down on the carton carrying rails 1 and 2 (see FIG. 5) the trailing dust flaps 62 and 63 are folded forward by pushing elements 11 and 12, and leading dust flap 58 is simultaneously folded back by the tapered end 17 of rail 4 which is at this point traveling in a rearward direction. This folding of the dust flaps greatly assists in holding the carton shell in'a squared position, and the simultaneous action on the carton shell 'by elements 11, 12, and 17 firmly holds the shell on the rails as the vacuum supply is cut off and the shell therefore released by the suction cup 73. Any convenient switched source vacuum (such devices being well-known to those skilled in the art) can be used so long as the vacuum is switched on and off in time with the motions of the machine.

The wide flat portions of rails 3 and 4 pass over the inner closing flaps 60 and 61 as the rails travel in a rearward direction over the cartons. As notch 18 moves back relative to the carton it reopens dust flap 63 so that this fiap will not interfere with the insertion of the product into the carton. Also at this point the locking tabs 56 are bent downward as they pass between cam elements 36 and 37 carried on rail 4. Pusher elements 11 and 12 push the carton shell, which is at this point a 'hollow tube having the axis passing through the open ends thereof positioned transversely to the carrying rails, forward for a short distance until rails 1 and 2 have reached the forwardmost position in their reciprocation. Rails 3 and 4 have at this point reached the limit of their rearward travel and notches 18 on rail 3 and 18a (not shown) on rail 4 will have traveled behind the carton, and as rails 3 and 4 begin their forward travel, these notches will engage the rear edge of inner closure flaps 60 and 61. As rails 3 and 4 then travel forward, the carton shell is pushed forward by the notches 18 and 18a. The operation of the carton pushing notches is illustrated in FIGURE 10 wherein the operation of notch 19a in rail 4 is shown. The lower portion of rail 4 pushes flap 60 downward so that the downwardly til-ted rail portion behind flap 60 will positively engage the trailing edge of the flap when the rail moves forward. Cam surface 33 lifts flap 55 upward as the shell approaches the filling station so that the flap will not interfere with the insertion of the product within the carton. As rails 3 and 4 reach the forward limit of their travel the carton shell is aligned with the carton inserting mechanism 5 and is prevented by spring element 32 from returning backward as rails 3 and 4 again begin their rearward stroke.

Referring now to FIGURES 6-8 it is seen that the carton is caused to pause in front of the product inserting mechanism 5. Rails 3 and 4 are at this time returning in a rearward direction, and no carton pushing elements are provided on the portion of rails 1 and 2 which is traveling past the carton shell, so that the carton shell will remain stationary in front of the mechanism 5 for substantially the duration of the forward stroke of rails 1 and 2. As seen in FIGURE 6 product supporting tray is first inserted into the open end of carton shell 49. Plunger 81 is then moved forward as seen in FIGURE 7 to push the product 79 into the carton shell. As seen in FIGURE 8, tray 80 is first retracted from the carton while plunger 81 remains extended, thus preventing the product from being withdrawn by the retraction of tray 80. A notch or step 83 is provided on plunger 81 so that the contents 79a, to be inserted in the succeeding carton, is pushed to the forward end of the loading tray 80 into position for plunger 81 to push the same into the next carton. After tray 80 has been withdrawn from the carton shell, plunger 81 is withdrawn, and arm '82 hinged to the side of tray 80, drops behind product 79a as tray '80 is withdrawn to prevent product 79a from sliding backward as plunger 81 is retracted from the carton.

During the filling step the rails 3 and 4 have completed a rearward stroke in their reciprocation and notches 19 and 19a are in position to engage the lower closure flaps as the rails again begin to move forward. (See FIG. 9.) In the embodiment of the machine shown in the drawings dogs 13 and 14 are provided on rails 1 and 2. to move the filled carton shell a short distance forward as seen in FIGURE -8 in order to insure the engagement of the carton by notches 19 and 19a. However, these dogs 13 and 14 can be considered optional "because the machine could equally well be constructed so that notches 19 and 19a will travel backward for enough that the holding action of spring 32 can be relied upon to insure the engagement of the carton by notches 19 and 19a.

As the carton is pushed forward away from the filling station by notches 19 and 19a, hub 186 is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction (when viewed downwardly) so that element 35 moves ahead of trailing dust flap 63 until the position shown in FIGURE 6 is reached. At this point rails 3 and 4 again begin to move in a rearward direction and rails 1 and 2 begin another forward stroke, wherein dogs 15 and 16 carry the carton forward. These dogs, as well as dogs 13 and 14 are urged upwardly by springs, and pivot downwardly to pass beneath each carton. When they have traveled behind the trailing panel of the carton, they pivot upward behind the carton into position to push the carton forward on the forward stroke of the rails. The rearward end of pivoted section 20 of rail 3 causes leading flap 59 to be closed.- Trailing dust flap 63 is closed by the action of element 34 which at this point is traveling faster than the carton. As seen in FIGURE 7, element 34 quickly travels back out of contact with flap 63 and element 35 holds flap in closed position until rail end 20 has traveled back far enough to hold this flap in closed position. A cam element 210 7 carried by rail 3 co-acts with the upper edge of pivoted rail portion 20 to pull down the locking tabs 57.

As the rails 3 and 4 travel rearwardly past the carton, the inner closure flaps 60 and 61 are closed by the coaction of plow elements 211 which co-act with pivoted portion 20 on rail 3 and plow element 212 which co-acts with pivoted section 21 of rail 4 (see FIG. 12). As seen in FIGURES 14 and 18 elements 211 and 212 continue to hold these flaps in a closed position until the outer closure flaps 54 and 55 are folded down by plow elements '22 and 23.

When the position in FIGURE 14 has been reached, rails 1 and 2 have again completed their forward stroke and begun their return in a rearward direction, and elements 20 and 21 have pivoted inwardly to engage the trailing flap 53 of the carton. Element 21 and the adjacent portion of rail 4 are shown in cross section in FIGURE 13 wherein it is seen that a spring 213 causes element 21 to move inwardly after it has passed beyond the end of the carton. As seen in FIGURES 1416, elements 20 and 21 push the carton forward as rails 3 and 4 continue their forward movement while cam surfacesv 22 and 23 mounted on rails 1 and 2 are simultaneously carried back by rails 1 and 2 on their rearward stroke. In the position shown in FIGURE 15, cam surfaces 22 and 23 have begun to fold down the outer closure flaps 55 and '54, respectively. When the position in FIGURE 16 is reached, flaps 54 and 55 are rapidly closed. The cam elements 214 (not shown) and 215 (FIG. 19) hold slots 64 and 65 open so that tabs 56 and 57 can easily be inserted therein.

Once the cartons have been closed it is no longer necessary to provide carton moving elements on the conveyor rails, since each carton will be pushed forward by the succeeding carton to the end of the machine. In the position'shown in FIGURE 17 rails 1 and 2 have again traveled forward and as the forward limit of travel is reached, bars 26 and 27 abut against stop screws 28 and 29 causing the bars to move rearwardly with respect to the rails. This causes fingers 24 and 25 to pivot inwardly as seen in FIGURES 17 and 20. The pivoting of fingers 24 and 25 pushes locking tabs 56 and 57 firmly into the slots 64 and 65 to assure that the arrowhead portions of the locking tabs are completely within the slots to securely close the cartons.

The foregoing description has disclosed the application of the machine of the present invention to a particular type of carton. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the machine will be necessary when the machine is adapted to close other types of cartons. For example, if long narrow cartons are being filled and closed it may be necessary to provide more than two rails in each rail assembly, for example, to support the carton in the center or to make sure that the carton is pushed forward without twisting. The flap closing cam surfaces will obviously have to be modified to accommodate the particular carton being closed. In the case of cartons which are closed by means other than locking tabs, the closing fingers 24 and 25 and the portions of the machine associated therewith can be omitted and replaced by other means such as heat sealing bars or pressure plates. The term rail assemblies as used herein is also intended to include such modifications as providing two rails in one assembly and a single rail in the other assembly. Such a single rail could be used in combination with transversely extending elements which support the various carton conveying and working elements. It will also be apparent that the rail assemblies could be tilted, to provide assistance to the filling mechanism by the force of gravity. For example, the side of the device adjacent the filling means could be raised at an angle such as 20 so that the product would slide downward into the cartons. Numerous other modifications falling within the scope of the claims will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a machine for erecting, filling and closing paperboard cartons, means for receiving, supporting, and transferring squared tubular carton shell supplied from a feeding device while said shells are filled and closed, which comprises (a) first and second adjacent parallel reciprocal rail assemblies adapted to support said shells with the axis passing through the open ends thereof positioned transversely of said rail assemblies, (b) means for oppositely reciprocating said rail assemblies lengthwise, (c) means attached to each of said rail assemblies for intermittently moving cartons on the forward strokes of the reciprocation along a unidirectional linear path parallel to said rail assemblies, ((1) means adjacent said path for filling said cartons, and (e) means acting on said cartons to close the ends thereof as said cartons are moved along said path.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said carton closing means includes curved cam surfaces adjacent said path designed to close the flaps of said cartons as they are moved along said path.

3. In a machine for erecting, filling and closing paperboard cartons, means for receiving, supporting, and transferring squared tubular carton shells supplied from a feeding device while said shells are filled and closed, which comprises (a) first and second adjacent pairs of parallel reciprocable rails adapted to support said shells with the axis passing through the open ends thereof positioned transversely of said rails, (b) means for oppositely reciprocating said pairs of rails lengthwise, (c) means attached to each of said pairs of rails for intermittently moving cartons on the forward strokes of the reciprocation along a unidirectional linear path parallel to said rails, (d) means for filling said cartons during a pause in the motion thereof, and (e) means acting on said cartons to close the ends thereof as said cartons are moved along said path.

4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said carton moving means are so provided that one of said pairs of rails carries said cartons into registry with said carton filling means and moves the filled cartons away from said filling means on two successive forward strokes of said reciprocation whereby said pause in the motion of said cartons includes substantially the duration of the forward stroke of the other of said pairs of rails.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said carton moving means are so provided that said cartons will be carried forward alternately by one and then the other of said pairs of rails on its forward stroke except adjacent said carton filling means.

6. The machine of claim 5 wherein means is provided on said machine to limit the rearward motion of said cartons as said cartons are disengaged from one moving means prior to being engaged by another moving means.

7. The machine of claim 3 wherein one of said pairs of rails is provided with means to simultaneously fold forward the closure flaps hinged to the rearward panel of a carton supplied by said feeding device and securely grasp said carton to carry the same away from said carton to carry the same away from said feeding device.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein the other of said pairs of rails is provided with means to close on the rearward stroke of its reciprocation, as a carton is received from said feeding device, a carton closure flap hinged to the leading panel of said carton.

9. The machine of claim 1 wherein one of said pairs of rails has attached thereto pivoted finger members, one end of each of said finger members being adapted to push in and lock locking tab elements of the end flaps of said cartons, each of said finger members being hingedly connected to an arm carried by said rails, said arm being adapted to abut a fixed surface on said machine whereby saidfinger members are caused to pivot inwardly to engage and push in said tab elements, and spring elements adapted to urge said finger members outwardly away from said cartons when said arm is disengaged from said fixed surface.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1963 Galloway.

4/1958 Schroeder.

10 Ardell et a1. Tully. Hartbauer. Wood. McGihon. Opperthauser.

TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR ERECTING, FILLING AND CLOSING PAPERBOARD CARTONS, MEANS FOR RECEIVING, SUPPORTING, AND TRANSFERRING SQUARED TUBULAR CARTON SHELL SUPPLIED FROM A FEEDING DEVICE WHILE SAID SHELLS ARE FILLED AND CLOSED, WHICH COMPRISES (A) FIRST AND SECOND ADJACENT PARALLEL RECIPROCAL RAIL ASSEMBLIES ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID SHELLS WITH THE AXIS PASSING THROUGH THE OPEN ENDS THEREOF POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID RAIL ASSEMBLIES, (B) MEANS FOR OPPOSITELY RECIPROCATING SAID RAIL ASSEMBILIES LENGHTWISE, (C) MEANS ATTACHED TO EACH OF SAID RAIL ASSEMBLIES FOR INTERMITTENTLY MOVING CARTONS ON THE FORWARD STROKES OF THE RECIPROCATION ALONG A UNIDIRECTIONAL LINEAR PATH PARALLEL TO SAID RAIL ASSEMBLIES, (D) MEANS ADJACENT SAID PATH FOR FILLING SAID CARTONS, AND (E) MEANS ACTING ON SAID CARTONS TO CLOSE THE ENDS THEREOF AS SAID CARTONS ARE MOVED ALONG SAID PATH. 